TEST OF A SOLAR-HYBRID MICROTURBINE SYSTEM AND EVALUATION OF STORAGE DEPLOYMENT

Abstract

A solar-hybrid microturbine system using a tube receiver and a Turbec T100 was tested at the Plataforma
\nSolar de Almería. The design receiver outlet temperature of 800°C was achieved with an open receiver
\naperture and also using a pressureless quartz window. Measured receiver efficiencies of 39.7% for the open
\nreceiver at 782°C outlet temperature and 44% at 803°C outlet temperature for the configuration with the
\nwindow are much lower than the design values due to design flaws in the cavity insulation and a too low
\nmass flow from the turbine. Nevertheless, the encountered problems are solvable and further lessons learned
\nare given.
\nFor a commercial system design using small heliostats of 1m2-mirror area a peak receiver efficiency of >85%
\nwas simulated using a face-down receiver configuration with a much smaller aperture. The solar-hybrid
\nsystem can also be combined with a pressurized pebble-bed heat storage. For an off-grid application a solar
\nshare of 82% was simulated.